The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent

In the ancient Viking community of Stonjold, severe food shortages prompt the men, under the leadership of their chieftain Vedric, to sail away in search of replenishment. When three years pass without word from the men, Vedric's future wife, Desir, insists the women should go in search of them. Despite initial protests from the women, including Desir's younger sister Asmild, Desir convinces a dozen women to set sail with her, including the mysterious, raven-haired priestess, Enger. After a rough departure and the loss of their rudder, the women rig an oar by which to steer. One Viking female warrior, Thyra, discovers that Ottar, the only male left in Stonjold, has stowed away, determined to prove his manhood by protecting the women. A fierce storm drives the Viking ship into the dangerous vortex waters of the Great Sea Serpent, which attacks and sinks the ship. Half of the women and Ottar survive the sinking and are washed up on an unknown shore, which they soon discover is run by a primitive tribe known as the Grimaults. The Vikings are taken by the muscular Zarko to the brutal Grimault leader, Stark, who initially declares that the women and Ottar are guests. Observing the well-made stronghold in which the barbaric Stark resides, Desir and Ottar suspect the Viking men may have built it. During a hunt the following day, Desir saves Stark's cowardly son Senya from a wild boar. Frightened lest his father learn that he has been bested by a woman, Senya agrees to provide information on the Viking men in exchange for Desir's vow to affirm that he killed the boar. Later during a feast, Senya secretly shows Desir evidence that several Viking men are still alive. After the meal, Stark declares the women will be made slaves and takes them to a cave where they are reunited with their men, who have worked the quarries in captivity. Ottar is made a prisoner with the Viking men and Stark then orders the women held in his lodge for one last night before being offered to the men of Grimault. The slightly built Asmild manages to escape through a small window and when the women provide a commotion to distract the guards, Enger also flees. While Asmild returns the cave to free the men, Enger, who has long loved Vedric, informs Stark of their escape. The Grimaults intercept the Vikings and Stark brings the women to witness their seizure. Later, Stark tells Enger he realizes she loves Vedric and gives her the opportunity to convince Vedric to run away with her. Vedric refuses Enger, however, pledging his faithfulness to Desir. Stung, Enger returns to Stark and demands both Desir and Vedric's death. The next day Stark orders the Viking couple burnt to death. Dismayed by the harsh result of her betrayal, Enger repents her jealousy and beseeches the gods for mercy and help. A storm rises, which douses the execution pyre fires and produces a lightning bolt that kills Senya. After Ottar frees the couple, Vedric leads the Vikings to the coast while Stark conducts a ceremonial funeral for Senya. Overcome with rage at the Vikings, Stark orders the Grimaults to pursue them. When the Grimaults sic their dogs on the Vikings, Enger sacrifices her life by diverting the dogs away from Vedric and the others. While the Vikings paddle away from the shore in small canoes, Ottar holds off and kills the fierce Zarko, then swims out after the others. Stark leads the Grimaults after them. As the storm resumes, Vedric risks steering directly into the vortex waters, determined to destroy the Grimaults. The Sea Serpent heads toward Vedric's boat but he beats it off, after which it attacks the Grimaults. After their enemy is destroyed, the Vikings then return safely to Stonjold.